Few merchandise have executed extra to get American motorists emigrate by the hundreds of thousands from sedans and coupes to SUVs and CUVs than the Honda CR-V. A constantly robust vendor since its U.S. introduction 25 years in the past, Honda is betting it’s going to acquire much more momentum this coming yr when it provides an entire makeover to crossover for 2023.
The sixth-generation 2023 Honda CR-V grows longer, wider and roomier, with extra expertise and an upgraded inside. It additionally will get an up to date hybrid powertrain that ought to make it extra enjoyable to drive, in response to Honda, even because it delivers the type of mileage motorists will recognize at a time when fuel costs stay close to document ranges.
To get an preliminary impression, I headed to Nashville for a primary drive of the 2023 Honda CR-V.
Styling
By the numbers, the 2023 Honda CR-V features 2.7 inches in total size and 0.4 inches in width. The 2023 mannequin’s wheelbase has been stretched 1.6 inches. Meanwhile, one of many extra “radical” adjustments to the crossover’s design sees the bottom of the windshield moved 4.7 inches rearward, 2.8 inches outward and 1.4 inches decrease — a shift that improves visibility, mentioned Honda in an announcement.
The new dimensions additionally translate right into a roomier cabin. Rear seat passengers, for instance, now get one other 0.6 inches of legroom and, mentioned Honda, “There’s more cargo space, at 36.3 cubic feet, than any previous version of the CR-V. Fold down the back row and that more than doubles, at 76.5 cf.”
In retaining with the design language it’s launched with different current mild truck updates, such because the Ridgeline pickups and Passport PathSport SUV, the 2023 Honda CR-V adopts a extra rugged look. That features a extra upright grille, an extended hood and a powerful, horizontal beltline. There’s additionally an built-in roof spoiler, one in all a number of touches meant to enhance aerodynamics.
The 2023 Honda CR-V can be provided in 4 trim packages, the EX, EX-L, Sport and Sport Touring, and every will function distinct exterior tweaks, beginning with their grilles, entrance fascia and wheels. The Sport, for instance, will get 18-inch, 10-spoke Berlina black alloy wheels, with the Sport Touring shod with black, 19-inch, cut up 5-spoke alloy wheels.
Performance
The EX and EX-L are powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-four making 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Power comes on at decrease RPMs than the outgoing mannequin, giving it a sportier response, whereas Honda additionally lowered engine noise. The engine is mated to a revised CVT transmission that’s programmed to duplicate step shifts at full throttle.
But Honda’s hopes are primarily using on the upgraded hybrid provided as normal tools within the Sport and Sport Touring variations of the CR-V. This “newly refined” system pairs two electrical motors with a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine, the bundle now producing 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque.
That’s up 3 hp and 15 lb-ft respectively and, Honda claims, provides the crossover a extra sporty really feel. The hybrid now can deal with as much as a 1,000-pound trailer for the primary time, whereas the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid’s prime pace climbs from 86 to 115 mph.
An ”Intelligent” all-wheel-drive system is accessible on all trim packages — and normal on the Sport Touring. Otherwise, the EX, EX-L and Sport ship energy to the entrance wheels.
Technology
There are a lot of new tech options on the 2023 Honda CR-V. Among different issues, it introduces Hill Descent Control for the primary time. This features as a low-speed cruise management, letting a driver set a pace of anyplace from 2 to 12 mph when negotiating a steep hill.
The Honda Sensing system is normal on all trim packages and affords quite a lot of superior drivers help methods, reminiscent of ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking. The 2023 mannequin provides options reminiscent of Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Low-Speed Braking Control.
The CR-V EX and Sport fashions function a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The increased trim EX-L and Sport Touring fashions get an upgraded 9-inch high-resolution touchscreen, in addition to normal wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They additionally get a navigation system and Qi wi-fi smartphone charging. The Sport Touring additionally provides a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.
Initial Impression
My preliminary time with the 2023 Honda CR-V was far more restricted than I’d have appreciated, with solely the EX-L mannequin — powered by that 1.5-liter turbo-4 — accessible. It was, nonetheless, a superb introduction to the compact crossover’s makeover. (And we’ll have an opportunity to take a look at the hybrid in October.)
The new exterior design is especially engaging, including a bit extra of a rugged look to what was lengthy derided as a “cute-ute.” The cabin improve was much more spectacular, a particular step up in each high quality and design. It borrows liberally from the latest-generation Honda Civic — no shock, contemplating they share the identical platform and different key parts. That consists of the distinctive honeycomb sample used for the instrument panel.
The bigger touchscreen is simpler to see and fewer vulnerable to incorrect fingering whenever you go to enter a command whereas the automotive is transferring.
The turbo-4 engine is, itself, an enchancment over the outgoing Honda Civic — however not fairly the place I had hoped Honda would take issues. It might use nonetheless extra off-the-line grunt, solely actually coming into its personal above 20 mph. On the opposite hand, the brand new tuning used for the gearbox is a significant enchancment. It proved simple for me to neglect it was a CVT with its simulated shifts.
Handling was one other space through which Honda engineers have taken a step ahead — although I nonetheless seen a little bit of physique roll in tight corners.
Overall, the 2023 Honda CR-V exhibits some important enhancements over what was already a fairly spectacular product line. I’ll be trying ahead to driving the hybrid-powered Sport and Sport Touring fashions subsequent month and have excessive expectations for what are being billed because the true fun-to-drive variations of the brand new crossover.
The 2023 Honda CR-V will begin at $32,335, together with vacation spot charges, when it reaches showrooms later this yr. That’s a roughly $4,000 enhance in contrast with 2022 — however the numbers are deceptive. The outgoing mannequin had a stripped-down LX bundle that began at $28,045. But with few consumers it is going to be dropped this coming yr. At the excessive finish, the Sport Touring Hybrid begins at $39,485, however it will get normal all-wheel drive — a $1,500 possibility for the remainder of the line-up.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com